Payne referred to Jones failing to make the weight by one pound, which meant he could not lift the belt, no matter the outcome of the contest.

He said: “Ben’s a fit man, it will definitely be his last fight at featherweight. The reason he might carry on is because he’s got caught.

“He might just think what would have happened if I hadn’t got caught, maybe he might carry on.”

Payne explained his high regard for the town’s top professional: “I’ve looked up to him ever since I was a boxer - he was the reason I got involved in the sport and the reason I’m still in the sport.

“You know when you know and I think that will be his last fight. If he does carry on it will be at a higher weight like superfeather if not lightweight. Will he be at the top level again? I don’t know.”

“I’m proud of him, he did amazing, he’s my hero, he’s the reason I got into boxing and why I’m still in boxing.”

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